Nutrition & fluid balance digestive (class 6) Flashcards
factors affecting nutritional status in elderly
changes in appetite, taste, smell, and GI affect nutrition.
decrease income contributes to food intake.
dentures, missing teeth, pain from poor oral hygiene.
chronic illness/depression
multiple medications
cognitive impairment/dementia
living in LTC facility.
elderly nutrition teaching
maintain healthy weight.
chose nutrient dense foods.
oral care BID
avoid processed foods & high fat foods.
nutritional needs in elderly
metabolism slows with age less calories needed.
vitamin and mineral needs same.
iron needs drop for post-menopausal women.
vitamin D synthesis reduced.
vitamin B12 reduced.
fluids-about 8 cups/day.
limit alcohol, refined sugars, fat, and salt.
zinc deficiency can alter taste.
risk factors of dehydration in elderly
purposely restrict their fluids. loose sense of thirst. forget to drink. cannot get fluids on their own. No a/c in summer.
s/s dehydration in elderly
confusion-change in mental status early s/s dehydration.
dry tongue & mucous membranes (furrowed tongue).
skin turgor less reliable (sternum or inner thigh)
tachycardia
subnormal temperature.
pinched facial expression
hot dry body.
nursing interventions
dehydration in elderly
I&O. daily weight (3% loss sign of dehydration).
monitor electrolyte levels.
assessment for deficient fluid volume.
encourage fluids.
call light in reach.
review orders for NPO status & notify physician for late & cancelled tests.
Oral cancer
malignancy of oral mucosa on lips, tongue, floor of mouth, or oral tissues.
high morbidity & mortality.
40 years old most common.
oral cancer
risk factors
smoking, drinking alcohol, chewing tobacco, HPV-recent studies have found.
oral cancer
symptoms
early: painless ulcer or lesion.
later: difficulty speaking, swallowing, or chewing, swollen lymph nodes, blood-tinged sputum.
leukoplakia: white patch smokers patch.
erythroplakia: red vevety patch.
any oral lesion that doesn’t heal/respond to Tx in 1-2 weeks should be evaluated for malignancy.
oral cancer
treatment/prevention
eliminate causative factors (smoking, tobacco, ETOH)
oral sex & HPV transmission.
regular dental care.
stages I&II are highly curable: surgery & radiation.
stage III&IV require combination: surgery, radiation, & chemotherapy. radical neck dissection with tracheostomy.
effects of oral radiation
males may experience permanent loss of hair in area of their beard.
skin irritation and lack of salivary function-worse as treatment continues.
salivary function may not return to normal: keep mouth moist, HOB elevated, Additional fluids.
esophageal cancer
uncommon & high mortality rate.
<5% survive 5 yrs after diagnosis.
most tumors in lower 1/3 of esophagus
esophageal cancer risk factors
cigarette & chronic ETOH abuse. opiate smoking. ingested carcinogens. chronic reflux. physical mucosal damage.
esophageal cancer
symptoms
most common: progressive dysphagia & recent weight loss. anemia. GERD-like symptoms anorexia chest pain persistent cough.
esophageal cancer
goal
control dysphagia and maintain nutrition regardless of treatment
esophageal cancer
diagnosis
bronchoscopy.
barium swallow
chest xray, CT scan, MRI look for metastasis
esophageal cancer treatment
radiation therapy and or chemotherapy
esophagectomy & possible anastomosis of the stomach to remaining esophagus.
NG tube often post op plaed in OR
esophageal cancer
complications
anastomosis leak.
respiratory complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome)
gastric necrosis or bleeding
infection & sepsis.
stomach cancer
risk factors
H. pylori infection is majore factor 60-90%.
genetic.
chronic gastritis.
gastric polyps.
carcinogens in the diet (smoked foods & nitrates)
history of partial gastric resection.
stomach cancer
symptoms
early symptoms: very few.
vague-feeling of early satiety. anorexia, indigestion and vomiting.
ulcer-like pain unrelieved by antacids after meals.
advanced disease: weight loss.
cachectic (malnourished & poor health)
palpable abdominal mass.
occult blood in stool
stomach cancer
diagnosis
anemia may be first symptom (CBC)
upper GI with barium swallow xray
ultrasound
upper endoscopy with visulatization and biopsy of lesion=provides definitive diagnosis.
stomach cancer
treatment
removal of part of all of the stomach.
post-op nursing care for gastrectomy
assess NG tube & suction as ordered.
do not replace or move tube. call DR.
assess color amount & odor of gastric drainage. initial NG output is bright red then to green-yellow over 2-3 days. if excessive amount of bright red, call DR.
monitor bowel sounds and distention.
encourage ambulation.
monitor weight.
complications of gastrectomy
dumping syndrome common: food eaten enters small intestine too quickly, gastric surgery makes it more difficult to regulate movement.
s/s: occurs 5-30 mins after eating.
feeling full, abd cramping, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, sweating, flushing, or light-headedness, rapid heartbeat, loud hyperactive bowel sounds, hyperosmolar chyme in the jejunum causes rapid rise in glucose & release of excessive insulin. hypoglycemia common 2-3 hr after meals.
dumping syndrom management
small frequent meals, liquids & solids taken at separae times not together. increase protein & fats. reduce CHOs especially simple sugars. recumbent/semi-recombent 30-60 min after meals.
monitor nutritional status.
liver functions
metabolism of proteins fats & CHO.
produces bile for fat absorption & eliminates bilirubin from body. detoxifies ETOH & other toxic substances. inactivates drugs/limits duration of effects. metabolism of steroid hormones & most drugs. makes blood proteins. ammonia is converted to urea for kidneys to excrete. minerals and fat soluble vitamin storage. stores iron as ferritin which is released as needed for RBC production.
common manifestations of liver disorders
hepatocellular failure. jaundice. portal hypertension
hepatocellular failure
liver is vital to:
digestion & metabolism of nutrients. production of plasma proteins. clotting proteins. albumin.
metabolism & excretion of bilirubin, steroid hormones, toxins, and ammonia.
note: albumin keeps fluid in the vessels. low albumin=fluid leaks out of vessels causing edema/ascites.
hepatocellular failure.
impaired function of liver cell causes
decreased production of albumin r/t impaired protein metabolism.
decreased production of clotting factors.
decreased bile production which impairs absorption of lipids & fat soluble vitamins (VIT K affects production of clotting factor.)
impaired metabolism of steroid hormones causing: feminization of men & irregular menses in women.
hepatocellular failure/jaundice
RBCs breakdwon & form bilirubin. when bilirubin cant be emulsified & digested through bile it builds up causing yellow appearance.
accumulation of bilirubin in tissues caused by disruption in metabolism of bilirubin=yellow color reflected in skin , mucus membranes, sclera.
protal hypertension
impaired blood flow through liver increases pressure venous system that drains the GI tract, spleen, & surface veins of the abdomen causing:
veins in GI tract & abdominal wall to dilate causing: appetite suppresion, formation of collateral vessels in esophagus, rectum, & stomach. esophageal varices, hemorrhoids, caput medusa.
ascites: increased pressure in abd vessels causes fluid to leak out. worse by low albumin levels.
hepatic encephalopathy build up of ammonia waste product causing mental status changes.
diagnostic studies of hepatic function
labs: ALT(alamine aminotransferase)
AST(asparate aminotransferase)
ALP(alkaline phosphatase)
bilirubin total direct (conjugated) indirect (unconjugated)
albumin: protein in plasma produced by liver.
decrease levels cause fluid shift from vessels into tissues causing edeme & ascites.
increased levels seen in dehyrdation
ammonia: a by product of protein metabolism converted by liver to urea for excretion by kidneys.
increase levels can cause confusion, behavioral & personality changes.
low protein diet.
paracentesis
aspiration of fluid from peritoneal cavity.